Heater for hydrocarbon liquids



(No Model.)

W. R. ADDIOKS. HEATER FOR HYDROGARBON LIQUIDS.

No. 443,214. Patented Deo. 23, 1890.

tllllllllllll sw@ t l UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.v

VALTER R. ADDIOKS, OF BOSTON, MASSAOHUSE'IWS.

HEATER FOR HYDROCARBON LIQUIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,214, dated December 23, 1890.

Application filed June 9, 1890. Serial No. 354,714. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER R.ADD1cKs,of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachuseits, have invented an Improvement in Heaters for IfIydrocarbon Liquids, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to a heater to be used in the process of making gas from hydrocarbon liquids. These heaters have heretofore consisted of a coil or stack of pipes, through which the liquid to be heated passed, the said pipes being all contained in a single drum, through which steam is permitted to pass so as to heat the liquid passing through the pipes and vaporize it.

The object of the present invention is to produce a heater of a simpler and less expensive construction than those heretofore employed and more efiicient in the treatment of the liquid, it also having its parts more accessible for cleaning or repairs.

In constructing myinvention I employ in a heater composed of a number of lengths of pipe, through which the hydrocarbon liquid `flows, the outlet end of each length, with relation to the 'flow of liquid through it, being connected withthe inlet end of the next length, so that the liquid flows continuously throughout the entire series of connected lengths. Each length of pipe is surrounded and inclosed by a chamber, which may consist of another length of pipe the internal diameter of which is somewhat'greater than the external diameter of the pipe inclosed by it, the space between the said pipes being tightly closed at both ends of the outer pipe-as, for example, by a stuffing-box of usual construction-and steam being admitted into the space between the said pipes, and thereby surrounding the inner pipe and acting to heat the liquid tlowing through it. In order to insure efficiency of operation the successive lengths of pipe through which the liquid iiows are of increased diameter or bore, so that as the liquid vaporizes and expands the duct will be of correspondingly-increased sectional area, so that the velocity of the iiow of the duid will not increase as it would if the pipe were of uniform bore. The several lengths of pipe, with their surrounding jackets, are placed near together, and the short connected portions are preferably provided with couplings, so that any one length can be readily detached when necessary for cleaning or can easily have anotherlength substituted for it in case it has become damaged in any way. The lengths of pipe are shown as placed in vertical position, and under each length there is a collectingreceptacle, into which any solid or sedimentary matter carried by the iiuids will be received, thus keeping the main duct free.

The invention consists in a heater for hydrocarbon liquids constructed and arranged substantially as herein pointed out and claimed.

Figure l represents a heater embodying this invention; Fig. 2, a detail showing a portion ot one of the ducts in longitudinal section.

The liquid to be treated is taken from a tank or reservoir a, constructed or arranged to deliver into a pipe l) under substantially uniform pressure, from which the said liquid passes through a meter c for regulating the quantity of flow and is conveyed by the pipe d to the heater A. The said heater consists of a number of lengths of pipe c c2 e3, duc., the outlet end of one being connected with the inlet end of the next by short connecting-pieces ffz, dto., preferably including couplings or union joints g, to enable one length to be readily separated from the next. Each length is surrounded by a wall or tube 7L, larger than the inclosed pipe e, and having the space between it and the inclosed pipe closed at each end, as represented at h2, thus forming a jacket or chamber around each length of pipe, which space is supplied with live steam from a pipe t', having branches t2 (see Fig. 2) that enter the jackets near their upper ends. The water of condensation escapes through a pipe t3, connected by similar branches with the jackets near their lower ends. The said branches that connect the pipes t' and with the jackets are preferably provided with coupling or union joints, so as to facilitate the separation of one jacket and its inclosed length of pipe from the rest when required. Below each length of pipe is provided a drip or sediment receptacle 7c, which will receive any sedimentary ma- IOC terial that maybe carried along by the liquid or Huid passing through the pipes e e2, the., and said receptacle may be emptied from time to time when required.

The pipes e e2 c3, the., increase in diameter inthe direction ofthe pressure of iiuid through them, as shown, tor the reason before explained.

From the last pipe of the heater the [luid may be conveyed through the pipe mr to a ga-smachine or carburetor.

By this construction a far more efficient heater may be produced than those in which the entire duct or pipe for the liquid to be heated is contained in a single jacket, as the liquid will be gradually heated in passing from one length of the heater-pipe to the next and will also expand in Volume, but owing to the increase in sectional area of the next duct will flow slowly through the saine and become further heated, this opera'tion continuing until the liquid has passed through the entire set ot pipes, the last of which it will enter in an already highly heated condition, and the steam which acts upon the liquid in the last length of pipe will operate eiiciently, as its temperature is not reduced by the cooler liquid passing through the preceding section of pipe, as is the case when the entire set of pipes through which the liquid passes are heated by steam in a single surrounding jacket or chamber or passing from 011e jacket to another, as has been proposed in heating appara-tus.

The sectional construction enables another section to be readily removed and replaced by another if it needs renewal or repairs.

I claim--V A heater for heating oil, composed of a number of lengths of pipe of progressirely-increasing diameter from the inlet-pipe to the outletpipe to compensate for the expansion of the fluid being heated without accelerating its relative flow, and connected end to end and forming a continuous duct of severable parts, combined with an independent steam-jacket for each length of pipe, and an independent steam-inlet, and an independent outlet for water of condensation for each jacket, thereby forming a contin nous duct for the oil t0 be heated, heating each length of pipe independently and at essentiallyv the same temperature, and also draining each jacket independently, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

lVAl/FER R. ADDICKS. Witnesses:

Jos. P. LIVERMORE, M'. E. HILL. 

